Kukui tree (candlenut tree) is the official state tree of Hawaii. It's scientific name is Aleurites moluccana. It grows to a height of 15–25 m (49–82 ft) and its nut is round, 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) in diameter; the seed inside has a very hard seed coat and a high oil content, which allows its use as a candle. For Hawaiians, the kukui is a symbol of enlightenment, protection and peace

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In ancient Hawaiʻi, kukui nuts were burned to provide light. The nuts were strung in a row on a palm leaf midrib, lit one end, and burned one by one every 15 minutes or so. This led to their use as a measure of time. One could instruct someone to return home before the second nut burned out. Hawaiians also extracted the oil from the nut and burned it in a stone oil lamp called a kukui hele po (light, darkness goes) with a wick made of kapa cloth.